Hey my cute lil cherries 🍒

Here is the chapter one.

Hope you find home here...

June 1st.

The first day of college.

The Chauhan mansion buzzed with restless, chaotic energy.

From the kitchen, the sharp clatter of steel echoed as Piyali hurriedly packed tiffins for the kids, muttering under her breath about how irresponsible her family members were—especially on important days like this.

Isha, Dhruv, and Ria dashed from room to room, each hunting for something different. Ria trailed behind Isha like a shadow, her half-tied hair bouncing messily with every step. Isha rummaged through drawers in search of Dhruv’s book, while Dhruv hopped around, desperately looking for his one missing shoe.

The house felt like it had exploded with unwanted morning chaos on the very first day of college and school.

Meanwhile, Aman sat peacefully on the couch, sipping his tea and reading the daily newspaper, completely untouched by the storm around him.

“Arrey Mr. Chauhan, aap konse cafe mein baith ke chai ki chuskiyan maar rahe ho? Ghar mein itni gadbad chal rahi hai, kuch madad hi karwa dete. Lekin nahi, ye toh kahin ke raja bane baithe hain,”

Piyali shouted from the kitchen, her voice laced with irritation, followed by her usual murmuring about her husband’s habits.

“Bhadak kyun rahi ho, Pallo?” he asked sweetly, glancing toward the kitchen.

“Ab main kya hi help karu? Sab ho toh raha hai na,” he added innocently, placing his now-empty cup on the table and neatly folding the newspaper before setting it aside.

“Haan haan, sab waise bhi ho hi jaata hai. Lekin aapki bhi is ghar ke kaamon mein koi zimmedari hai ya nahi?” she snapped, clearly irritated.

“Acha baba, shaant ho jao. Meri Pallo bhadakti hui achhi nahi lagti,” he said with a soft smile, already walking toward the kitchen.

“Lao, main kuch madad karta hoon. Batao kya karna hai?” he added, rolling up his sleeves.

With that, he joined her, helping around the kitchen, the faint smile never leaving his face.

“Arey maa, maine kaha tha na we will eat from the canteen. Phir kyun subah-subah pareshaan ho rahi ho?” Isha said, finally fixing Ria’s hair properly.

“Haan mamma, waise bhi ghar ka khana lunch tak thanda ho jaata hai,” Ria added, pouting slightly.

“Haan mammy yaar, please maan jao. Mujhe ye tiffin wagera leke nahi jaana school,” Dhruv chimed in, settling onto the dining table for breakfast.

“Chup karo tum teeno. Kitni baar bola hai, roz-roz bahar ka khana nahi khate. Chup-chaap teeno tiffin leke jaoge,”

Piyali declared firmly, authority dripping from her tone.

Seeing no escape, the kids turned toward their father—their only saviour with puppy eyes, silently begging him to step in.

Aman gave them a reassuring look.

“Waise Pallo, baat toh bachchon ki sahi hai. Dekho na, tiffin waise bhi lunch time tak thanda ho jaayega. Aur ab zamaana bhi badal gaya hai na. Bacche ab sab cool dikhna chahte hain. Toh main keh raha tha ki—”

He was cut off instantly.

“Haan haan, ye sahi hai tum logon ka. Jab maa na maane, papa naam ka brahmastra chhod do,”

she said, shaking her head in mock disapproval.

“Matlab aap maan gayi?” Isha asked, eyes lighting up.

“Haan, aur nahi toh kya. Dusra option chhoda hai kya tum sab ne milke?”

Piyali replied helplessly, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

“Yayyyyy!”

The three of them cheered in unison.

“Love you, papa,” Isha said, wrapping her arms around him. Aman chuckled.

“Wah beta. Matlab permission maine di aur ‘love you papa’ ko?”

Piyali complained lightly, raising an amused eyebrow.

“Aww, lagta hai matashri ko bura lag gaya. Aapko bhi love you. Woh bhi dher saara,”

Isha said, hugging her mother.

Soft laughter filled the room, the morning chaos finally easing into warmth.

“Chalo bachcho, main office jaate-jaate tum logon ko chhod deta hoon,”

Aman said after breakfast.

“Par papa, Isha di ab college jaati hai aur college dusri direction mein hai na. Aapko late ho jaayega,”

Ria said, confused.

“Arey koi baat nahi. Isha ka college mere office ke side mein hai, toh main use chhodte hue chali jaungi,”

Piyali said, fixing her hair one last time.

“Haan, theek hai. Phir chalo, ab nahi toh late ho jaayenge sab,”

Aman replied, already grabbing his car keys.

On the other side of the city…

The Rathore mansion was wrapped in a calm, light morning atmosphere. Unlike the chaos at the Chauhans’, this house moved at an easy, steady pace. Everyone was busy with their own routine.

Gourav and Neeti were getting ready for work. Abhi was attending his morning online meeting with other officers, focused on a case file. Yuvraj stood near the stairs, packing his bag for college. Arohi lounged on the couch, sipping her coffee, headphones on, gently swaying to the rhythm of the music—clearly in no rush to go to school.

"Aru, subh subh headphones lga ke kyu bethi h? Pata h na aaj school h. Ho gye holidays khatam. Chal ready hoja school jana h. Aur ab tu 12th me aa gyi h thodi responsible bn ja" Gourav said, fixing his tie and sitting beside Arohi.

"Oh god papa, itni kya jaldi h. Ready hi to hu. Aur books and all rakh dia h bhaiya ne bag me. So chill" Arohi replied casually, not taking her eyes off her music.

"Kab tak Yuv karta rahega tera sara kaam. Ab badi ho gyi h tu" Abhi said, closing his laptop and walking toward them.

"Galti Yuv ki bhi h. Hamesha iski sari bate manta h. Ek bar dant ke khud karne bol de to sudhar jaegi abhi," Neeti added as she walked out of her room.

"Arey, ap sab log jal bhun ke rakh kyu ho rhe ho. Muje pta h, Yuv bhai meri sari baate mante h aur apki nhi isliye ap log mujse jealous h," Arohi replied, flipping her hair off her shoulder and lifting her chin proudly, as if she had won a prize.

"Jealous? Wo bhi tujse? Chal chal jyada sapne mat dekha kr. Ye Yuv ne tuje ser per chada rakha h," Abhi retorted, settling beside Gourav on the couch.

"Dekh lo papa, apke chote bete aur beti ki harkato ko. Itni princess treatment de di h is champu ko,ki kahi ki rani samjhne lagi h khudko," he added playfully, delivering a light smack on Arohi’s head from behind.

"Haww, papa dekhiye muje champu kaha Abhi bhai ne," Arohi complained, pouting.

"Arey, usne tuje thodi bola. Usne to champu bola. Ab tuje lagta h tu champu h to usme me kya bolu," Gourav said, struggling to hold back his laughter.

"Sahi kaha inhone. Ab tu khud ko champu samajhti h to usme bechara Abhi kya bole," Neeti added, enjoying the banter.

Gourav and Neeti burst into laughter. Left with no comeback, Arohi folded her arms across her chest and sulked like a betrayed child.

Just then, Yuvraj appeared at the staircase, walking down.

"What's so funny going on here guys" he asked, a smile playing on his lips.

"Bhai, ye sab milke mera—" Arohi began, but Abhi cut her off.

"teri is cute little princess ko mirror dikha rhe the vo bura man gyi," he said mockingly. Gourav and Neeti shook their heads at their kids’ antics.

"Bs bs. Kyu ise preshan kar rhe ho sab milke. Bichara Aru. Chodd in logo ko, me hu na tere sath," Yuvraj said, and Arohi’s face lit up instantly.

"Teri wajah se bigdi h ye," Neeti said, giving Yuvraj a playful smack on the shoulder.

"Arey maa mar Kyu rahe ho," Yuvraj protested dramatically, rubbing his shoulder as if he’d been hit hard.

"Chalo bhai ho gyi ho sari panchayat to college chale?" came a voice from the front door. Everyone turned to see Ayaan and Avinash standing there, smirking casually.

"Chalo jaldi nhi to pehle din hi late ho jaenge," Avinash added.

"Ha ha chalo," Yuvraj replied, grabbing his bag. "chal Aru me tuje school chod deta hu."

"Bhai muje bhi bike chahiye," Arohi said, hopping onto the back of the bike.

"Ye h na," Yuvraj replied, tapping the bike while securing his helmet.

"Nhi muje apni khudki bike chaiye," Arohi retorted, folding her arms.

"Acha thik h. Per abhi nhi. Ek bar college me aaja bhi dila denge," Yuvraj replied with a rare soft smile, shaking his head in amusement.

"Ha ab jaldi jana h ya nhi," Avinash complained, starting his bike with a loud roar.

H.K. College,

The college buzzed with noise and the freshness of a first day. Students crowded the corridors, garden, ground, and classrooms—some excited, some nervous, some already confused about their journey ahead.

Isha walked toward the main gate, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside her.

Just then—

"Oye kutti, ruk ja me bhi aai"

Kiara called out as she stepped out of Tanu’s car, which had just parked in the lot.

"Hello kamini, kesi h? Kitna time ho gya mile," Isha replied, pulling Kiara into a headlock. Kiara struggled to escape.

"Abee oye kutti, chodd na!!" Kiara protested, finally freeing herself. "Aur kya kitne din ho gye? Abhi perso to mile the"

"Haa to? Perso mile the. Kitnaaaaaa time ho gya h us baat ko. Puraa ekkkkkk din bit gya," Isha replied dramatically.

Tanu walked up to them. "chalo, chalti hu me bhi apni class me. Dhyan rakhna tum apna"

"Ha di, safe journey. We will miss u. Mera ashirwad hamesha apke sath h. Rest in peace. I-i mean have fun," Isha said, wiping a fake tear. Kiara slapped her forehead.

"Arey yaar ab tum log yha mat shuru ho jana. Late hora h already. Di jao aap class me. Aur Ishu, tu chal mere sath."

"OH MY GOD!!, me kyu aau tere sath!? kahi tere irade to nhi bigad rhe muj jesi hot ladki ko dekh ke? Me lut jaaungi, barbad ho jaaungi. Bachao bachao!!"

Tanu laughed, enjoying the drama.

"Teriii tooo..." Kiara twisted Isha’s ear slightly. "Tera sara melodrama ka bhoot nikalti hu ruk tu"

"Aiiiiiiiiii, chod na. Arey choddd. Acha, chal rhi hu. Ab chodd"

Kiara finally let go and walked toward the class.

Once inside the classroom, both of them dropped their bags on the bench and headed toward the ground for the assembly, casually chit-chatting about random topics on the way.

At the assembly ground, they joined their class line. The assembly was held only on the first day of college, meant to give essential instructions to the new students.

The principal began the assembly with a long lecture on discipline, determination, and other moral lessons. Almost all the students rolled their eyes internally, nodding on the outside without actually listening.

Once the assembly ended, students started walking toward their respective classrooms—some excited for their first lecture, while others were already desperate to escape the principal’s boring speech.

Isha and Kiara walked side by side toward their classroom, laughing and giggling over something only they seemed to find funny.

Just then, Isha was shoved forward with a sudden jolt. The unexpected push threw her off balance, and she stumbled ahead with force—straight toward Yuvraj, who was walking in front of her with his friends, completely unaware of her presence.

Because of the accidental shove, Isha’s foot landed squarely on Yuvraj’s. Her heel struck sharply, sending a wave of pain through his foot.

"Holly shittt! Kon h ye andha insaan." Yuvraj hissed, hopping on one leg and clutching the injured foot.

Isha instantly regained her balance and bit her tongue, while Kiara slapped her forehead in embarrassment. Yuvraj turned around and glared at Isha. She blinked innocently, offering an awkward smile.

"Andhi ho kya. Ya chasma ghar bhul gyi." he snapped, shooting her a death glare.

"Kya andhi, kon andhi? Andhi hogi tumhari biwi." she retorted sharply, clearly offended.

"Ohh hellooo, ek to per pe per mar dia aur ab chila rhi ho. Battamiz insaan" he fired back, irritation dripping from his voice, his jaw clenched.

"Ha to per pe per aaya h na,Hathoda to nhi gila. Ya ambulance bulau?" she scoffed, rolling her eyes, refusing to back down.

"Wah, matlab had h. Ek to galti karo uper se akad dikhao. Dimag ki kami h kya?" he snapped, now visibly irritated.

"Oh mister... Whatever. Jyada bol rhe ho. Choti si baat ka batangad kyu bna rhe ho. Sorry sun na h na? Nhi bolti jao" she declared, folding her arms across her chest and staring him down, almost challenging him.

"Kya battamizi ladki h yaar" he muttered, patience thinning, fists curling at his sides.

"Areyy bs bs shant ho jao dono." Ayaan intervened, waving his hand between them, noticing Yuvraj’s tense posture.

"Kya ho gya h yaar tuje Yuv, chodd na" Avinash added, trying to defuse the situation.

"Ha yr leave it. Iski taraf se I'm sorry." Kiara said nervously, hoping to calm things down.

"Oye, tu kyu sorry? Nhi koi sorry worry nhi. Mene galti se iske per pe per mara aur isne muje tane. Simple. Baat khatam." Isha lifted her chin, firm and unapologetic.

"Haa baat khatam karo abhi. Badhake koi fayda nhi hai." Avinash said, turning to Yuvraj, who was still glaring at Isha.

Yuvraj scoffed and walked away toward the classroom. Ayaan and Avinash exchanged amused glances at their usually calm friend losing his temper, then followed him.

Inside the classroom, the students greeted one another and settled down as the professor entered. Yuvraj took a seat in the last row with his friends, still irritated by the earlier encounter. Isha sat beside Kiara in the middle row, throwing occasional death glares behind her without any shame.

The professor began the lecture almost immediately.

The class went on smoothly. Some students listened attentively, some pretended to listen, and some sat like lifeless bodies, muttering under their breath about the boring lecture and the professor’s blank expression.

Once the lecture ended, students poured out of the classroom toward their next lecture halls, some to the arts section, some to science, some to commerce. The language class had been the only common lecture.

Isha and Kiara headed toward the commerce wing, while Yuvraj, Ayaan, and Avinash walked toward the computer science section.

As Isha passed by, she rolled her eyes dramatically at Yuvraj and made faces. He scoffed and walked away. Behind him, Ayaan and Avinash struggled to keep their straight faces, clearly entertained by the unexpected drama.

A few lectures later, the bell rang, announcing a short break.

Students spilled out of their classrooms—some to the ground, some to the corridors, some to the garden, and many to the canteen, all busy with their own chatter.

"Yaar I'm hungry. Let's go to the canteen" Isha said, grabbing Kiara’s wrist and dragging her along.

"Arey, atleast let me arrange my books yaarrr" Kiara complained, but Isha had already dragged her halfway to the door.

"No one will rob ur books girl. Relax" Isha replied, rolling her eyes.

"Fineee. I'm coming. Stop dragging me na" Kiara whined.

"Sure. Let's go" Isha grinned, amused by Kiara’s irritation.

"Hamesha bhukhi hi rehti h kya tu?" Kiara asked, though she already knew the answer, shaking her head with half irritation and half amusement, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

In the Canteen,

Isha placed their order while Kiara grabbed seats near the window. After paying, Isha picked up the tray holding two Coca-Cola bottles and two sandwiches and turned to walk back.

The very next second, she crashed straight into someone,like hitting a brick wall.

Of course, it was Yuvraj.

He was standing right behind her, waiting to place his own order, while Ayaan and Avinash were busy talking among themselves.

The drinks spilled all over Yuvraj’s shirt.

His white shirt.

"Owwwww!!, diwar se bhid gyi bhagwan jiiii" Isha cried, rubbing her forehead before lifting her eyes to see who she had collided with.

Their eyes met.

Her bright hazel gaze clashed with his cold, dark stare. Then her eyes slowly dropped to his shirt. What had been white was now soaked in an ugly brown stain.

For a moment, the entire cafeteria fell into pin-drop silence. All eyes were on them.

Kiara mentally slapped her forehead, muttering not againnn, while Ayaan and Avinash froze mid-conversation. Seeing Yuvraj this quiet, they exchanged a look. they both knew this silence was dangerous.

Isha looked back at his shirt, then at his face. No words came out.

A few seconds passed in complete stillness.

Then a small giggle escaped Isha’s lips. She quickly covered her mouth, trying to suppress it, but failed miserably.

"Ye to gyi," Ayaan whispered to Avinash, who nodded, already bracing for the storm.

"MISS ISHA CHAUHAN" Yuvraj finally spoke through clenched teeth.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU"

His voice wasn’t loud, but it was sharp enough to send a shiver down her spine.

"Tum sach me andhi ho kya. Subh mera pav kuchal dia. Aut abhi...... abhi mera shirt pura kharab kr dia. Chasme lge h kya? Lage h to pehenti kyu nhi. Battamizi ki bhi had hoti h......... Ek bar me man nhi bhara jo dusri bar bhi bhid gyi........ Pav to tod hi dia tha lagbhag apni heel se ab kapade bhi kharab kr die. ......Abhi bhi kisi ne dhakka dia hoga hena? Had kr di. Arey kis Janam ki dusmani nikal rhi ho?"

He snapped in one breath, firm and controlled, yet burning with anger.

Isha stared at him blankly for a moment.

Then—

"how you know my name"

Everyone stared at her.

"areyyy haaaa, first lecture me introduce hua tha na" she added, nodding to herself as if she had solved a mystery.

Yuvraj just stared at her in disbelief. He exhaled slowly, far too slowly, like he was holding himself back from exploding.

"ARE U MAD?" he asked calmly, though his clenched jaw betrayed his rage.

"Nhi to. I'm perfectly fine" she replied sweetly.

"Oh come on man. It's just a shirt. Utar ke muje de do I'll return after washing. Simple"

"Huh? Kya"

"A..a.. i mean badme de dena. Yha thodi utarne bola."

That was it. His patience finally snapped.

"dimag kharab h tumhara? Ye kya matlab hua ki pehle kisi ke kapde kharab kar do fir ese behave karo. Maafi waafi mangna to dur ki baat h, tum muje bol rhi ho sirf shirt hi to h? Like seriously?" He was frustrated , clearly.

"Maafi? Me? Huh. Funny tha (eye roll). Isme meri kya galti? I was just turning. Ab tum khambe ki tarah piche khade ho muje kya sapna aaya tha? Thoda piche khade ho jate. Chipkna jaruri tha kya?"

Everyone stared at her like she had just pulled the pin out of a grenade.

"Tum sach me pagal ho kya? Nhi matalab had hoti h pagalpan ki. Ek to galti karti ho aur uper se blam muje pe dal deti ho. Apni galti likhti nhi h ya accept nhi karni hoti. And me kyu tumse chupkunga? Dimaag chal nhi rha ya h hi nhi"

"Ohh hello Mister Yuvraj Rathore or whatever. (Sharp tone) Bs ho gaya h ab. Kya kabse pagal, battamiz, dimaag nhi h wagera laga rakha h? Kuch bol nhi rhi iska ye matlab nhi ki tum kuch bhi bologe muje. Aur ek baar pagal bola na mere dimag ka pata nhi tumhara dimag tumhari khopdi se bahar nikal dungi samjhe na ( pointing finger towards him, warning). Aur rhi baat chipkne ki, to tum dur bhi khade reh sakte the."

"Sidha sidha bol do na ki sundar ladki dekh ke jee machal gya tha"

Silence crashed over the canteen.

"Kya? Jee machal gya? Aur kis sundar ladki ki baat kr rhi ho, kyuki ofc tum to Sundar ka S bhi nhi lagti"

"hawww, ab pata chal rha h andha kon h"

"Bol bhi kon rha h"

"Chashma laga lo. Tumhe jarurat h"

"Tumhe jyada jarurat h. Logo me bhidti rehti ho"

"Sabse se to nhi bhidti tum hi kese aa jate ho samne"

"Tum bhidti ho me sahi hi khada hota hu"

"Aahaa acha joke tha."

"Asliyat thi"

"Kuch bhi. Huh."

"Ab dimag hona chahiye na samjhane ke liye"

"Isliye tum bakwas kr rhe ho"

"Pagalpan ki dukan"

"Dimaag se paidal"

"Jyada ho rha h"

"Shuru kisne Kia"

"To andho jesi harkate kyu karti ho"

"Tu

mhari galti hoti h"

"Arey wah, ulta chor kotwal ko date"

Their argument turned into rapid-fire insults, bullets of words flying back and forth.

"Oh shut up"

"U should"

"Battamiz"

"Bagad billa"

"Bhigi billi"

"Bohot ho gya ha"

"Kyu sach kadwa laga"

"Sach bolo tab na"

Kiara exchanged exhausted looks with Ayaan and Avinash, completely done with both their friends’ behavior.

Then she finally snapped.

"CHUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

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